BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2194

By: Springer

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Current state law does not permit an operator of a motor vehicle to leave it running unattended. Interested parties contend that new features on modern vehicles have allowed operators to remotely start a vehicle's engine to begin safely warming or cooling the car before entry. Unfortunately, this action is technically not legal under current law. H.B. 2194 seeks to remedy this situation by revising provisions relating to unattended motor vehicles.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 2194 amends the Transportation Code to exempt from the prohibition against an operator of a motor vehicle leaving the vehicle unattended without stopping the engine, locking the ignition, and removing the key from the ignition an operator who starts the engine of a vehicle by using a remote starter or other similar device that remotely starts the vehicle's engine without placing the key in the ignition and that requires the key to be placed in the ignition or physically present in the vehicle before the vehicle can be operated.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2015.